Thinking about solar for your home? Here's what Northeast homeowners should know before getting quotes.
If your electric bill has been creeping up, you're not imagining it. Northeast homeowners pay some of the highest rates in the country, and more of them are asking whether solar makes sense for their roof.
Ask three installers to quote the same roof and you can get three very different numbers. Here's why that happens, and how to compare without getting pushed.
Max has strong opinions about door-to-door solar pitches. His owner found an easier way: compare quotes online first, on your own time.
A solar contract is a long-term commitment. Before you sign one, there are three questions worth asking. The third is the easiest to answer.
More solar panels are showing up on Northeast rooftops. If you've wondered what they would look like on yours, the answer depends on your roof, your ZIP and your bill.
Why the bill weighs more in the Northeast
Electricity costs more here than in most of the country. In 2025, residential customers in New England paid about 28.9 cents per kWh, and about 22.7 cents in the Middle Atlantic states, compared with a national average of about 17.3 cents.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, Table 7c.
That doesn't mean solar is right for every home. It depends on your roof, how much sun it gets, how much power you use and the price you're quoted.
Why two quotes for the same roof can look so different
Installers use different panels and inverters, size systems differently and offer different ways to pay, from cash to loans and leases. Local labor costs and how busy an installer is also move the price. Two quotes for the same house can end up far apart, so comparing a few is the simplest way to see what's reasonable for yours.
Three questions to ask before you sign
- Is the installer local and licensed in my state? You want someone who will still be around for service and warranty work.
- What's the total price, not just the monthly payment? A low monthly number can hide a long term or extra fees.
- Did I compare at least 3 quotes? It's the easiest of the three, and the one that tells you the most.
What happens next
Enter your ZIP below. If installers cover your area and you own your home, we'll send you to our partner HomeBuild, where a short form (about 7 questions) collects the details installers need. Local installers may then contact you with quotes. There's no obligation to accept any of them.